The water runs deep

A terrible accident happened in our town. It resulted in three young children losing their father. A simple hunting trip that ended in tragedy. A father will not be present to watch his children open presents on Christmas morn. A wife will not hear her husband's voice as he returns home from a day's work. There will be only four plates at the table instead of five. My husband isn't a hunter, he is a sports guy. My brother, Rodney, is hunter through and through. His two sons hunt. They have enjoyed many a wonderful moment sharing duck stories, deer stories and the one that got away stories. My brother is a fanatic about safety when hunting. He has spent years teaching his young boys the proper practices to maintain safety. As the men involved in the accident on Saturday floated across the lake to look for ducks their boat overturned. No lifejackets worn and soon swimming wasn't an issue. Men who become fathers. Boys who grow up to be men. I am all for having fun and enjoying life. I don't fault men who hunt. I know this young father wanted to live. He wanted to live for himself and his family, but the pull of the water and the coldness of the air proved too much without a lifejacket. When a man's desire is to have fun, hunt, ride motorcycles, hang out with friends and relive his childhood memories, he must ask himself. If, if, I should fall out of the boat. If, if, am I choosing a dangerous behaviour that could cost me my life. If, if, I should die, could I look my family in the face and say, "I did everything possible to be safe, protect myself, follow the rules, and return home to be with you." As the rescuers dragged the lake for one hunter's remains it was noted the depth to be 180 feet. Only the hearts of three precious children will know the depth of their loss for many years to come. Why? Why didn't daddy wear a lifejacket?